Niceville Flag Football youth league seeks players, coaches

Niceville Flag Football has no tryouts or drafts. Rosters are formed by “friend” or “coach” requests on a first come, first served basis. Single players will be placed on teams with some similarity and familiarity such as same school, neighborhood, organization, etc., as the other players on the team.

Niceville Flag Football, a startup flag football league for boys ages 7-13 years, is preparing to host its inaugural season of play. Online registration is now open.

The new league features a 5-on-5 format and will consist of teams of about 10 total players. The season is expected to have 8-10 games. Games will be played at Lewis Middle School. The season schedule will be drawn up later in the month, once the number of players is known.

Niceville Flag Football is affiliated with NFL Flag and USA Football, an official youth football development partner of the NFL.

“It’s a great program,” said Tiffany Brechtel, President of Niceville Flag. “They are doing this throughout the United States.”

Tiffany and her husband, David Brechtel, are organizing the league.

Interest has been high.

“Every day more and more people are hearing about it and signing up,” said Tiffany.

Flag football provides opportunities for children to enjoy America’s favorite sport, according to the NFL Flag-USA Football website. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football, lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship.

Niceville Flag Football has no tryouts or drafts. Rosters are formed by “friend” or “coach” requests on a first come, first served basis. Single players will be placed on teams with some similarity and familiarity such as same school, neighborhood, organization, etc., as the other players on the team.

Games will be played on fields measuring 30×70 yards and will consist of two 20-minute halves.

Coaches are volunteers and are not provided by NFL Flag Football. Individuals interested in coaching can register online. All coaches and other volunteers will be required to pass a background check.

NFL team jerseys and flags will be provided. Players are recommended to wear a flag football helmet (player provides) and must wear a mouthpiece (player provides).

The cost to register is $95 per player. Registration is open through August 11, 2017.